Lance Corporal - Rank or Appointment?

[CNB]

My regular soldier grandfather was a Lance Corporal at the beginning of 1WW , therafter all references are to him as a Private.
His army records did not survive and so I assumed he lost his minor rank through some misdemeanour.
However, I now understand this may not have been the case - because L/C status was an "appointment", not a "Rank".

Can anyone cast light on this or comment further?
Thank you
cnb

[shelldrake]

Lance Corporal is indeed a rank, not an appointment - however there are degrees in which the rank is held.

A Substantive rank is the actual rank of the soldier. Local rank can be granted, the soldier wears it but is not paid for it. Acting rank is where the soldier wears it and is paid for it - normally for about 6 months, after which time the soldier is promoted to Substantive rank or reverts to the (lower) Substantive rank.

In essence your relative was probably a Private, awarded Local Lance Corporal, who then reverted to his Substantive rank. It is possible he could also have been an Acting Lance Corporal, who for whatever reason (could have been disciplinary as you suggest) was not made Substantive Lance Corporal.

Hope this helps!!

Shelldrake